Converting to Pro Tools

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guitar zero

guitar zero

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I want to upgrade my DAW to Pro Tools instead of garage band. If I do, can I continue to record through an M-Audio firewire interface, or do I need something like a digi 003? Any recs on how to proceed without spending more than I need to?

Thanks,

Zero
 
The 003 are pretty expensive, considering they are a mediocre product. You can run protools M-Powered with your Solo box. It's the same thing as PT LE you'd use with the 003.
 
not exactly the same thing as pt le. you cannot get the dv toolkit for mpowered. however, if you are not doing anything with video, it doesnt matter...
 
also, latency is an issue with mpowered. no low latency monitoring like the 002/003 and pt le.
 
Latency issues

Thanks for the reply's, which brings another question about latency. Is latency ever an issue if I don't add EQ or fx after tracking outside the DAW? For now anyway, I'm thinking of just putting down the tracks in PT so the files can be mixed and mastered professionally.

Thanks,

Zero
 
As long as you record to an audio file format pro tools can read, then you can use any software you like - you just give the pro tools studio your audio files and they will import it into a pro tools session and mix from there.

Garageband is limited to 44.1/16bit, so it's not your best choice for "professional" work.

Perhaps check out Audacity...it's free and open source. Or maybe the linux distro Ubunto Studio, which is an entire no-cost operating system with pro tools-like software included.

That said, I am a happy pro tools user with a 002R. They are getting relatively inexpensive now used. On a decent PC I have absolutely no noticeable latency when recording up to 14 simultaneous tracks, even while overdubbing 1-14 more.
 
guitar zero said:
I want to upgrade my DAW to Pro Tools instead of garage band.
Click to expand...


Why Pro Tools? When people say Pro Tools I think HD systems that don't have those ridiculous limitations imposed on it. I tried out PT M Powered. I've been a Sonar user for years and now use Cubase, but have played around with Reaper also but I just couldn't get into the PT workflow at all. The GUI and the workflow is top notch in Cubase IMO. You can buy into Cubase Essentials 4 for a $150 or less. It's packed with features.

Don't get sucked into the Pro Tools hype. If your going to go PT spend the big $$ and the get the real deal, but even then for what your spending you can get a system with better A/D/DA and spend your extra money on nice preamps, mic, room treatment etc etc.
 
OK, Now we're talkin'

Rage, this is exactly the type of discourse I was hoping for when I started this thread. As I understand it, Cubase is pretty much one of the accepted standards at professional recording studios as well, correct? If I record using Cubase, I won't have problems getting professional help by taking the files in for mix, master?

Any other takers on which is the most user friendly, full featured, GUI in the studio recording software industry? :confused:

Thanks,

Zero
 
Another Question

We don't have a drummer, or enough line imputs to record drums, so we're using the drum loops provided in garage band. Does Cubase Essentials have drum kits, or would we have to buy drum kit software? :confused: I checked the site and didn't see anything about drums.

Thanks,

Zero
 
I have Cubase, Samplitude, Cakewalk Sonar, and Protools LE, Cubase has the best workflow for me and Samplitude is what I use for final mastering and CD burning. PTLE is very limited compared to other DAWs in that price range. If you must use Protools, as said before, go with the $12K HD system. For the same bucks though, you can buy some really nice pres, mics, converters, a good PC, and a world class DAW with the other brands mentioned. Go the the different websites and download sample versions and play with them a little while to see which fits your way of doing things. One great thing about Cakewalk is that they don't require the dongle, a hassle for on the road work.

One additional thing to think about...if you are considering using Universal Audio Digital effects, don't use Samplitude. For some reason, they don't seem to be compatible with UAD stuff.

As far as worrying about getting your work mastered at a PT equipped studio, they should be able to work with wav files or some of the other formats offered by most DAWs.
 
Most of the M-Audio boxes have ASIO low latency monitoring. Never been a problem here, though I only use ProTools when I absolutely have to. ProTools M-Powered is pretty cheap though, compared to Cubase or Sonar, though. I got it on sale for $100 when it came out.

When it comes to PT vs everything else, I'm inclined to say that almost anything else is better from the standpoint of workflow and enhancing creativity (personal opinion, of course). The only thing to consider, is that if you're going to deliver tracks for mixing to another studio WITH PLUGINS STILL ON THE TRACKS, I'd use PT. However, if you're going to be sending files with plugins rendered (already bounced down) or just raw WAV (or whatever format) files, they can be imported into any DAW. If you mix yourself, it doesn't matter what software you use, because you'll be sending the mastering engineer 1 WAV file per track, and they'll load that up into their mastering DAW.

You can demo a lot of this software before buying. I'd suggest trying the ones that you find the most interesting, and pick the one that suits you best.

Craig
 
This is very helpful, thanks. My takeaway so far is that protools won't be so hot unless I sell my car and buy a hard drive recording system. Spending less on the M-Audio version will give me a user unfriendly GUI that I probably won't be happy with. Cubase offers a more economical solution to upgrading in any significant way, and is easier to use. Got it, I think.:cool:

Zero
 
As far as recording, editing, and mixing audio I feel ProTools is as good as anything and probably the best overall. The workflow is fantastic, smooth and uncluttered.

However, if you are composing new music with virtual instruments, midi sequencing and all that, some of the others are better for that application. I use Digital Performer for that.

But for straight audio recording, editing, and mixing I find ProTools to be a very nice program.
 
What about logic?

I very much appreciate those who share their knowledge on this board. I've learned some very valuable things regarding mics, preamps, compression, miking techniques, either directly or just by lurking. So, thank you.

Since I'm already using a Mac powerbook and garage band, wouldn't Apple logic be a 'logical' upgrade for me? All existing garage band files can be opened directly into logic. Anyone have good or bad things to say about logic?

Oh, and one more question. I'm assuming that even though logic has a higher sampling rate, that files recorded in garage band will keep their lower bit rate when opened into logic, correct?

ThanksZero
 
guitar zero said:
Anyone have good or bad things to say about logic?

Oh, and one more question. I'm assuming that even though logic has a higher sampling rate, that files recorded in garage band will keep their lower bit rate when opened into logic, correct?

ThanksZero
Click to expand...
This is probably your best option... Logic is a solid DAW... I used it for years before they dropped windows support...

And yes, there will be no problems with the lower digital resolution
 
I use PT-M powered purely as my source to lay down my tracks and later take it to a Protools HD system to finish it off. I rewire using Gigastudio and ESWLSO for my sampler sources.
 
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